Training Report: Millennium Development Goals in the SAARC Region

Country Reports
Government efforts:
- Health regulation – to be enacted
- Projects to stregthen motherhood and reproductive
health, adolescent sexual reproductive health,
reproductive health cancers
- Address gender-based violence
} Need to further strengthen public health system
} Increase local representation in health workforce
} Currently 80 percent of doctors and 60 percent of
nurses working throughout the country are
foreigners.
- Enaction of gender based violence act
- Universal health care
MDG 6 – Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and Other Diseases
} Low HIV prevalence
} 14 HIV cases identified, 3 locals
} 13 cases till 2003
} Condom use among high risk group is 12% (2004)
} Proportion of 15-24 age group with comprehensive
correct knowledge 97% (2004)
} Proportion of population with advanced HIV infection
with access to antiretroviral drugs 37.5
} Thelassemia Last case of polio- 1978
} Last case of tetanus – 1995
Although HIV target reached, country is highly vulnerable
- Biological behavioral survey (2008) finding:
- STI’s and high risk behavior high among FSW, MSM, and IDU’s
- - majority of FSW n MSM does not use condoms, and is either
married or in a relationship
- Lack of surveillance system as a major gap
} Large expatriate population is a risk
} Compulsory to screen, 257 identified and send back, still
11 expatriates were found positive while living in the
country
} Government needs to
} -strengthen outreach and surveillence
} Policy changes to address the issue
} Involvement of NGO’s
} Currently adopted public health programs will contribute
to achievement
} Governments efforts on reducing substance abuse and
trafficking
MDG 7 – Ensure Environmental Sustainability
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Major challenge due to high vulnerability, loss of water resources,
housing demand, reliance on import, employment dependence
on biodiversity Vulnerability
80% of the country lies below 1.5 metres
no point is further than 1 kilometre from the sea
lack of access to energy
economy relies heavily on the environment
Biodiversity accounts for 71% of national employment, 49% of public
revenues, 62% of foreign exchange, and 96% of GDP
- 2004 tsunami cost 62% of the national GDP, compared to less than 3% in
Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India
Water
Water resources are strained, solid waste is an emerging environmental
issue
while lack of access to toilet facilities has fallen from more than 60% in 1990
to 6% in 2006
access to improved water source coverage has dropped from 96% in 1990 to
83% in 2006
90% used no treatment for their drinking water supply
Utilities companies established throughout the atolls to operate and
maintain island water and sewerage services
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